Metzger Family Dental

Prevention Services

We encourage our patients to schedule regular visits for cleanings and check-ups. We strongly believe that prevention is the key to a healthy and confidant smile. By finding problem areas early, we can offer the most conservative treatment to restore optimal oral health.

Children

We understand that seeing a dentist for the first time can be overwhelming for a young child. At Metzger Family Dental PLLC, we make it a fun experience so that your child will actually want to have their teeth cleaned in the future. Children should see a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth or by their first birthday. We will check to make sure that there are no infections or abnormalities present, clean the child’s teeth, and place a fluoride varnish on the teeth. Early fluoride application is the easiest way to prevent cavities in your child before they have a chance to form. We recommend that children over 1 year of age see the dentist every 6 months for optimum dental care.

Tips for parents for a great experience:

Always stay positive

It is very common to have anxiety before a dental visit, but you can avoid passing that to your children by emphasizing how fun the visit will be.

Don’t share too much information

If your child needs treatment, we will explain the procedure to them in “kid-friendly” terms at their appointment.

Sealants

Back molar teeth naturally have deep grooves and pits in the chewing surface. These grooves are often too deep to clean with a toothbrush and are the most common location of cavities, especially in children. Sealants are a clear coating that seals these deep pits and grooves, making teeth much easier to clean and preventing cavities from forming. Studies show that children who have sealants placed on their permanent teeth have 80% fewer cavities than children without sealants placed.

Fluoride

Fluoride increases the resistance of tooth structure to cavities, effectively hardening the tooth. Even in trace amounts, fluoride dramatically decreases the rate of cavity progression, and can help prevent cavities from forming. Most people receive enough fluoride to prevent cavities from fluoridated community water, mouthrinses, and toothpastes. Some people, however, may need higher levels of fluoride to protect their teeth. People who take multiple medications, are undergoing medical treatment, or have a higher risk of forming cavities may need prescription fluoride treatments. Professional fluoride application is also recommended for all children beginning at 1 year old to prevent cavities before they have a chance to form, and hardening the teeth as they are forming. Fluoride is a helpful adjunct in continual preventative dental care.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

We want our patients to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Scientific studies show a direct correlation between dental health and overall health and quality of life. Regular dental check-ups can not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but can improve your heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and prevent low birth weight in pregnant women. We want to help our patients to live their healthiest, best life possible.

Oral Cancer Detection

Metzger Family Dental PLLC has recently invested in new technology that could potentially save your life. The Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection system is a state of the art oral cancer screening light that allows the dentist to potentially discover oral lesions earlier, often before they produce any pain or symptoms. The earlier that cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions are detected, the greater the chances of successful prevention, treatment, and recovery. Every patient over the age of 16 will receive an oral cancer screening with the Sapphire light once a year. We strongly believe in protecting the health of all of our patients, and we provide this screening at no additional cost.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer:

More common in men than in women

Most common in African Americans

Greater risk after age 35

Tobacco use

Frequent alcohol consumption

Prolonged exposure to sunlight

Diet low in fruits and vegetables

The sexually transmitted infection HPV

Periodontics

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis or gum disease is a painless, progressive disease of the bone and tissues that support the teeth. When plaque and bacteria are not fully brushed and flossed from the teeth, it becomes hard and calcified. This calculus or tartar contains very harmful chemicals that can destroy the bone and tissue around the teeth. If not treated, the teeth will eventually loosen and fall out. During your regular check-up, a hygienist will take gum measurements to determine if you have gum disease or need treatment beyond a normal cleaning.

Deep Cleaning

The first step in treating gum disease is to remove the bacteria that are causing the disease from under the gums. This is called a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. The hygienist will numb the tissue and teeth so that they can be cleaned thoroughly and painlessly. In combination with good home care and regular recall visits, a deep cleaning is often the only treatment needed to stabilize the bone and tissue.